As Per Capita Alcohol Consumption Increases, So Does Sickness Absence

Heavy drinking is associated with an increased risk of many illnesses. In this study, researchers examined the relationship between alcohol use and job absence due to sickness from 1935 to 2002 in Sweden. They linked population-level data on alcohol sales to health insurance and workforce survey data. Analyses controlled for unemployment and wages over time.

• For men, a one-liter increase in per capita alcohol consumption was associated with an estimated 11% to 21% increase in sickness absence.
• From 1998 to 2002, the rate of sickness absence in men increased by 76%. Alcohol consumption accounted for 6% of this increase (according to projected estimates).
• For women, alcohol consumption was not significantly related to sickness absence.

Comments:

The relationship between population-level alcohol use and harms (such as accidents and cirrhosis) is well established. The current study documents another harm, sickness absence. Among alcohol’s adverse effects on productivity and workplace performance, absenteeism is likely the “tip of the iceberg.” For this reason, alcohol consumption, even after hours, by workers should be a legitimate concern of clinicians who practice in employee health settings or are involved with workplace prevention initiatives and employee assistance programs.

Peter D. Friedmann, MD, MPH

Reference:

Norström T. Per capita alcohol consumption and sickness absence. Addiction. 2006;101(10):1421–1427.